NIS2 – What Is It and How Do Organizations Comply?

The European Union’s Network and Information Security Directive (NIS) has been a cornerstone of cybersecurity regulation in Europe since its implementation in 2018. However, as the digital landscape continues to evolve — and cyber threats have become increasingly more sophisticated — the EU recognized the need for a stronger, more comprehensive approach. This led to the introduction of NIS2 — a significant upgrade designed to enhance cybersecurity measures around the resilience of critical infrastructure and essential services across the continent.

A Brief History of NIS and NIS2

NIS was a valuable first step in establishing a common cybersecurity framework within the EU. It focused on improving cooperation between member states and introducing a basic level of harmonization in cybersecurity. While NIS was effective in addressing some challenges, it faced limitations in terms of its scope and enforcement mechanisms. For example, it did not provide sufficient requirements for cyber resilience: businesses were poorly prepared to withstand cyberattacks. NIS did not cover a joint crisis response: member states and businesses struggled to coordinate their efforts in responding to cyber incidents — hindering effective mitigation. It also lacked a shared understanding of key threats and challenges, making it difficult to develop effective countermeasures.

NIS2 was designed to address these gaps by introducing measures to strengthen cybersecurity across the EU:

• Stricter Technical Controls — Organizations must implement robust technical controls to ensure their operations are secure, going beyond traditional IT security measures
• Accountability of C-Level Executives — C-level executives can face personal consequences if their organizations fail to comply with NIS2
• Heavier Financial Penalties — Similar to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), NIS2 imposes heavy fines on organizations that fail to comply with its requirements

Starting the NIS2 Journey

To prepare, organizations must take proactive steps to determine if and how this impacts their business and ensure compliance with the mandate. This involves:

• An Assessment of Critical Infrastructure — Determine whether your organization is considered part of the supply chain of critical infrastructure
• Global Scope — Understand that organizations outside of the EU offering critical services within the EU must also comply with NIS2
• A Compliance Assessment — Evaluate the existing cybersecurity measures in your organization against NIS2 requirements
• Comprehensive Preparation — Address governance, cybersecurity risk management, reporting and European certification scheme requirements

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a crucial component of NIS2 compliance. Here are several steps to take to ensure your MFA strategy aligns with the directive: 

1. Evaluate Access Points — Identify all potential entry points for cyber threats
2. Identify Vulnerable Areas — Pinpoint areas lacking MFA and the best authentication methods to safeguard them
3. Mitigate Risks — Implement compliant MFA where needed and fortify security measures to address identified vulnerabilities

Let’s Level up Your Access!

Compromised credentials are the most common launch point for cyberattacks. As a leading provider of identity solutions, our experts can help organizations meet NIS2 requirements and enhance their overall cybersecurity posture. HID offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for one-stop preparedness for easy, secure and tightly integrated authentication and identification products.

• Secure Credentials — Physical and mobile credentials for strong authentication
• Credential Management System (CMS) — Streamlined management of access permissions and digital certificates
• State-of-the-Art Mobile-Enabled Readers and Modules — Advanced hardware for secure authentication across the workplace and various verticals for all access points regardless of which operating system or application
• End-to-End Authentication — Integrated solutions for secure access to applications, networks, buildings and other physical and digital spaces and places
• Expert Support — Guidance and assistance from HID’s global team of cybersecurity experts

Gather more details about guidelines for NIS2 compliance while learning how to level up your organization’s access practices to deliver an extraordinary access experience across your brand. 

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